The cut-off trend for the Indian Economic Service (IES) and Indian Statistical Service (ISS) exams varies from year to year based on several factors, including the difficulty level of the exams, the number of candidates, and the overall performance of the candidates. The cut-off is the minimum marks required to qualify for the next stage of the selection process (such as the interview) or to make it to the final merit list.
Factors Influencing IES/ISS Cut-off:
- Number of Candidates: The higher the number of candidates appearing for the exam, the higher the competition, which generally leads to a higher cut-off.
- Difficulty Level of the Exam: If the exam is perceived as difficult, the cut-off tends to be lower, and if the exam is easier, the cut-off may be higher.
- Vacancies Available: The number of vacancies in the IES and ISS services also affects the cut-off. If there are more vacancies, the cut-off may be lower, and vice versa.
- Performance of Candidates: In years when the majority of candidates perform exceptionally well, the cut-off may be higher, and in years with weaker performances, it may be lower.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the cut-off trends for both IES and ISS exams in recent years (as of 2020-2023):
1. Indian Economic Service (IES) Cut-off Trends
The IES exam is focused on economics, and the cut-off marks reflect the candidates' understanding of core economic concepts. The examination consists of multiple papers, including General Economics, Indian Economics, and Statistics, with both objective and descriptive types of questions.
Cut-off Trends for IES (Final Marks):
Here is an approximate range of cut-offs for the final selection in recent years:
| Year | General Category Cut-off | OBC Category Cut-off | SC/ST Category Cut-off |
|-----------|------------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|
| 2023 | 570-590 | 530-550 | 480-510 |
| 2022 | 580-600 | 540-560 | 490-520 |
| 2021 | 570-590 | 530-550 | 480-510 |
| 2020 | 560-580 | 520-540 | 470-500 |
| 2019 | 550-570 | 510-530 | 460-490 |
Analysis of IES Cut-off Trends:
- General Category: The cut-off for the General category has hovered between 560 to 600 marks in recent years. It typically remains on the higher side, reflecting the highly competitive nature of the exam.
- OBC Category: Candidates in the OBC category generally experience a slight relaxation in the cut-off. The range has been around 510 to 560 marks in recent years.
- SC/ST Category: The cut-off for SC/ST candidates is comparatively lower, with a range of 460 to 510 marks in recent years.
Factors Influencing IES Cut-off:
- The number of vacancies and overall performance play a significant role. A large number of candidates with strong academic backgrounds increases the cut-off.
- The difficulty of economics-related papers can impact the scores. Papers that are relatively tougher tend to lead to lower cut-offs.
2. Indian Statistical Service (ISS) Cut-off Trends
The ISS exam, which focuses on statistics and related fields, has its own set of cut-offs, similar to IES, based on the number of vacancies and the performance of candidates. The ISS exam consists of two stages: the written examination and the personality test/interview. The cut-off for the written exam varies depending on the candidates' ability to answer complex statistical problems and concepts.
Cut-off Trends for ISS (Final Marks):
Here’s a summary of the final cut-offs for the ISS exam in the last few years (based on the combined marks from the written exam and the interview):
| Year | General Category Cut-off | OBC Category Cut-off | SC/ST Category Cut-off |
|-----------|------------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------|
| 2023 | 570-590 | 530-550 | 480-510 |
| 2022 | 580-600 | 540-560 | 490-520 |
| 2021 | 580-600 | 540-560 | 490-520 |
| 2020 | 570-590 | 530-550 | 480-510 |
| 2019 | 560-580 | 520-540 | 470-500 |
Analysis of ISS Cut-off Trends:
- General Category: The cut-off for the General category has ranged between 560 to 600 marks, similar to IES, depending on the difficulty and competition level.
- OBC Category: The OBC candidates typically have a cut-off range of 520 to 560 marks.
- SC/ST Category: The cut-off for SC/ST candidates is around 470 to 510 marks, consistent with the trends for the IES exam as well.
Factors Influencing ISS Cut-off:
- Difficulty of Statistical Papers: As the ISS exam focuses heavily on statistics and mathematical methods, the cut-off often depends on how well candidates manage to solve complex statistical problems. If the exam is considered tough, the cut-off tends to be lower.
- Vacancies: A lower number of vacancies typically results in higher cut-offs, as fewer candidates are required for the final selection.
- Candidates' Performance: Similar to IES, the level of preparation and the overall performance of candidates in the written examination and interview also significantly influence the final cut-off.
Comparative Overview of IES vs. ISS Cut-off Trends
- Both IES and ISS exams have similar trends in terms of the general category cut-offs, usually hovering between 560 and 600 marks.
- Candidates from the OBC category typically have a lower cut-off, ranging from 510 to 560 marks.
- The SC/ST categories see the lowest cut-offs, which typically fall in the range of 460 to 510 marks.
- The cut-off for General Economics and Indian Economics papers in the IES exam might be a bit higher compared to the statistical papers in the ISS exam, depending on the difficulty level.
Key Takeaways:
- Cut-offs tend to fluctuate each year, depending on the difficulty of the exam and the performance of candidates.
- General Category candidates typically see cut-offs ranging from 560 to 600 marks for both IES and ISS.
- OBC candidates tend to have cut-offs around 510 to 560 marks, and SC/ST candidates see a lower cut-off range of 460 to 510 marks.
- The number of vacancies and the overall difficulty of the papers each year play a significant role in shaping the final cut-offs.
Preparing for the Cut-off:
- Analyze Previous Year Trends: Understanding the recent cut-offs can help you gauge the amount of preparation needed to secure a place in the merit list.
- Focus on Strong Paper Writing: Since both IES and ISS exams are largely descriptive, focus on writing quality answers that are both comprehensive and concise.
- Stay Updated: Keep track of UPSC notifications, as cut-offs and related factors could vary based on shifts in exam patterns or vacancies.
- Ensure Subject Mastery: For IES, focus on economics, and for ISS, enhance your statistical knowledge and problem-solving ability.
By following a disciplined study routine and preparing systematically, you can aim to surpass the cut-off marks for these prestigious services.